Pouch Camporee Field

For many New Yorkers, finding a vast, natural outdoor space within the city limits for group activities, camping, and connecting with nature might seem like a tall order. Yet, nestled on Staten Island is a remarkable gem that perfectly fits this description: Pouch Camporee Field. As a key component of the larger William H. Pouch Scout Camp, this spacious and well-maintained field offers an unparalleled setting for a variety of outdoor pursuits, all while remaining surprisingly accessible within the bustling metropolis. This article is designed to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Pouch Camporee Field, highlighting why it stands as an exceptional resource for local New York users.

Pouch Camporee Field is more than just an open space; it's a dedicated outdoor venue that has long served as a cornerstone for Scouting activities and is increasingly recognized as an ideal spot for other group outdoor adventures. Its very name, "Camporee Field," speaks to its purpose: a place where numerous groups can gather for camping, events, and skill-building activities in a natural environment. For New York residents, particularly those involved in youth organizations, corporate team-building, or seeking unique family camping experiences, this field presents a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors without the extensive travel typically associated with traditional campgrounds outside the city.

What truly sets Pouch Camporee Field apart is its unique blend of expansive natural surroundings and convenient urban accessibility. It offers a peaceful retreat where the sounds of nature can replace city noise, fostering a sense of tranquility and camaraderie among participants. Whether it's the thrill of pitching tents under the stars, the challenge of an orienteering course, or the joy of a communal campfire (where permitted), this venue facilitates immersive outdoor experiences that are vital for personal growth and collective bonding. We will explore the specific features, services, and accessibility that make Pouch Camporee Field a premier choice for outdoor group activities for New Yorkers.

Pouch Camporee Field is located at 1285 Manor Rd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA. This address places it within the expansive William H. Pouch Scout Camp, a significant natural preserve on Staten Island. For New York locals, its location offers a crucial advantage: the ability to access a substantial natural outdoor venue without leaving the five boroughs.

Accessibility to Pouch Camporee Field is remarkably convenient, considering its natural setting. From other boroughs, the most common way to reach Staten Island is via the iconic Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan's Whitehall Terminal, a free ride offering scenic views of the New York Harbor. Once on Staten Island at the St. George Ferry Terminal, numerous local bus lines provide connections to the vicinity of Manor Road. The S57 and S61 bus routes are commonly used to access the areas around William H. Pouch Scout Camp, with stops requiring a walk to the camp entrance. It's always advisable to consult current MTA schedules for precise routing and timings.

For those traveling by car, Pouch Camporee Field, within William H. Pouch Scout Camp, is easily reachable via major Staten Island roadways. Manor Road provides direct access to the camp's entrance. From Brooklyn, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects directly to Staten Island, leading to routes that access Manor Road. From New Jersey, the Goethals Bridge or Outerbridge Crossing provide pathways to Staten Island, from which Manor Road is accessible. The camp itself offers ample parking for groups, a vital convenience for events and camping trips where equipment might be transported. This combination of public transit options and convenient vehicular access makes Pouch Camporee Field an exceptionally practical choice for groups and organizations throughout New York City and beyond who are seeking an accessible outdoor escape. Its integration within the Staten Island Greenbelt system further enhances its appeal, offering a sense of wilderness while still being within city limits.

Pouch Camporee Field, as part of William H. Pouch Scout Camp, primarily caters to organized groups such as Scout troops, youth organizations, and potentially other pre-arranged group events. While it's not a public campground for individual family reservations in the traditional sense, it provides a well-equipped outdoor venue with various services to facilitate group activities. Based on common offerings at Scout camps and user reviews, services typically provided or facilitated include:

• Spacious Camping Areas: The core service is providing large, well-maintained fields perfect for pitching numerous tents, accommodating large group camping events like "Camporees."
• Designated Activity Zones: Beyond just camping, the field is often complemented by various activity areas suitable for outdoor programs, games, and skill-building workshops (e.g., orienteering, pioneering, merit badge work).
• Well-Maintained Facilities: Reviews consistently highlight "well-equipped facilities," which would typically include access to restrooms (including flush toilets and showers in central buildings), and potentially outhouses within campsites.
• Program Organization & Staff Support: For Scout events, the camp provides thoughtful program organization, and staff members are typically knowledgeable and committed to facilitating engaging activities and ensuring safety.
• Equipment and Resource Access: While groups generally bring their own camping gear and cooking equipment, the camp may provide access to certain shared resources or designated areas for specific activities (e.g., rifle ranges, archery ranges, climbing/COPE facilities as part of the broader Pouch Camp).
• Outdoor Skill-Building Opportunities: The primary focus is on developing outdoor skills, including fire building (where permitted), knot tying, first aid, emergency preparedness, outdoor cooking, and wilderness navigation.
• Community and Tradition Fostering: For Scouting groups, the camporee field serves as a venue that actively fosters a strong sense of community, camaraderie, and the rich traditions of Scouting.
• Service Projects: The camp often encourages or facilitates service projects for visiting groups, such as trail maintenance, cleanup efforts, or facility improvements, aligning with the spirit of giving back.
• Safety and First Aid: Trained medical staff or first aid resources are typically available during organized events to ensure the safety and well-being of participants.
• Ample Parking: Convenient parking is provided for groups arriving with equipment and vehicles.
• Access to Broader Camp Facilities: Depending on the event or arrangement, groups using the Camporee Field may also have access to other camp facilities, such as cabins, lean-tos, a lake for fishing/boating (with permit), and specialized activity areas like a climbing wall.

Pouch Camporee Field, as a dedicated outdoor venue within William H. Pouch Scout Camp, offers a wealth of features and highlights that make it a premier choice for group outdoor experiences in New York City.

• Spacious and Versatile Field: The primary highlight is the sheer size and versatility of the Camporee Field itself. It provides ample, well-maintained open space capable of accommodating numerous tents and facilitating a wide array of group activities, from large-scale gatherings to multi-patrol competitions.
• Ideal for Group Camping & Events: It is specifically designed and praised as a "fantastic Scouting venue" and "ideal spot for scout groups, team-building events, or family camping trips," highlighting its suitability for organized outdoor gatherings.
• Natural & Serene Environment within NYC: Despite being located within Staten Island, the field is surrounded by peaceful, natural surroundings, offering a genuine escape into nature. Reviewers emphasize its "serene and secluded environment," a unique advantage for an NYC location.
• Extensive Activity Opportunities: The broader William H. Pouch Scout Camp offers access to a wide range of activities that complement use of the Camporee Field, including rifle shooting, archery, tomahawk throwing, orienteering, pioneering, and various merit badge workshops. This diverse program ensures engaging experiences for participants.
• Well-Equipped Facilities: The campsite is noted for being "exceptionally well-equipped" with "well-maintained facilities," which include access to restrooms with flush toilets and showers, providing comfort even in an outdoor setting.
• Strong Sense of Community & Tradition: The field fosters a remarkable "sense of community and tradition," particularly within the Scouting movement. It's a place where "Scouting dreams come true," inspiring young Scouts to learn, grow, and bond.
• Knowledgeable and Committed Staff: Reviews praise the staff members for being "not only knowledgeable but also deeply committed to the Scouting movement," ensuring programs are thoughtfully organized and run smoothly.
• Accessibility by Mass Transit: A significant highlight for New Yorkers is its accessibility by public transportation (Staten Island Ferry and local buses), making it convenient even for those without private vehicles.
• Part of the Staten Island Greenbelt: The camp's integration into the larger Staten Island Greenbelt means visitors also have access to miles of hiking trails and a diverse natural ecosystem beyond the immediate field.
• Year-Round Availability: William H. Pouch Scout Camp (including the Camporee Field) is open year-round for Scouting activities and pre-arranged group use, allowing for diverse seasonal outdoor experiences, though public access to certain areas may be restricted during specific periods of high Scout activity.

As Pouch Camporee Field is primarily a venue for organized group activities, particularly those affiliated with Scouting, it doesn't typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the same way a commercial business might. Instead, its value for New York locals comes through its structured programming, unique access, and the benefits derived from participating in its events.

• Structured Event Pricing: Fees are generally associated with specific organized events (e.g., Camporees, weekend camping programs for troops). These fees are usually per Scout and per adult and are communicated as part of the event registration process.
• Program Inclusions: The "offer" is the comprehensive program provided for the fee, which includes access to activity areas, skill-building workshops, and staff support.
• Conservation Easement Access: Public access to certain hiking trails and ponds within the broader William H. Pouch Scout Camp property, which includes the Camporee Field area, is generally free of charge during specified public access hours. However, camping on the Camporee Field specifically requires group permits and is not part of general public access. It's important to check the official website for specific restricted dates and areas due to Scouting activities.
• Service Project Opportunities: For groups, the opportunity to participate in service projects at the camp can be seen as a value-add, allowing them to give back to the community and the natural environment.
• Special Event Registration: Groups or individuals participating in specific "Camporee" events might benefit from early bird registration discounts or bundled pricing for a comprehensive weekend of activities, as seen in some external Camporee guidelines.

To learn about upcoming events, associated fees, and how to book the Pouch Camporee Field for an organized group, New York residents (especially Scout leaders or youth group organizers) should directly contact the Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America, or visit the official William H. Pouch Scout Camp website. Any specific "promotions" would be detailed within their event registration packets. It is crucial to check the specific public access rules and closures for the entire William H. Pouch Scout Camp property, as certain dates are restricted for public entry due to Scout events.

For inquiries regarding Pouch Camporee Field, event bookings, or information about William H. Pouch Scout Camp, interested New York residents should use the following contact details:

Address: 1285 Manor Rd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA (This is the address for William H. Pouch Scout Camp, where Pouch Camporee Field is located).

Phone: (718) 351-1905

Mobile Phone: +1 718-351-1905

Email: Based on official sources, the general email for camping inquiries for the Greater New York Councils, BSA, including Pouch Camp, is typically

camping@bsa-gnyc.org

It is highly recommended to contact the camp management directly via phone or email for specific questions about booking the Camporee Field for a group, understanding available dates, and discussing the types of activities that can be facilitated.

Pouch Camporee Field, situated within William H. Pouch Scout Camp on Staten Island, is an exceptionally suitable and valuable resource for New York locals, particularly those involved in youth development, group recreation, or simply seeking a unique outdoor escape within the city. Its unique combination of expansive natural space and urban accessibility makes it an indispensable asset.

Firstly, for New Yorkers, the ability to access a "spacious and well-maintained" camping and activity field without leaving the five boroughs is a significant advantage. This proximity eliminates the need for long, costly trips upstate or out of state, making outdoor adventures more feasible and frequent for Scout troops, school groups, and community organizations. The convenience of reaching it via public transportation (Staten Island Ferry and local buses) further enhances its appeal, ensuring that even those without private vehicles can benefit from its offerings.

Secondly, the field's dedicated purpose for group activities fosters a unique environment for camaraderie, skill-building, and leadership development. As highlighted by numerous positive reviews, it's a "true Scout's paradise" where "the spirit of Scouting is alive and well." This focus on organized outdoor programming, including activities like orienteering, pioneering, and a strong sense of community, provides structured and impactful experiences that are crucial for youth development. For local educators and youth leaders, it's an invaluable partner in delivering hands-on, immersive learning that extends beyond the classroom. The well-equipped facilities and knowledgeable staff further ensure a safe, engaging, and memorable experience.

Finally, Pouch Camporee Field’s integration into the larger William H. Pouch Scout Camp within the Staten Island Greenbelt offers more than just an open field; it provides access to a diverse natural ecosystem. This allows for broader environmental education and appreciation, enabling New Yorkers to connect with nature on a deeper level. For families and groups in New York seeking a blend of adventurous outdoor activities, a peaceful natural setting, and convenient accessibility, Pouch Camporee Field stands out as a prime destination. It represents a vital urban oasis that continues to serve as a bedrock for outdoor education and group bonding, making it an excellent choice for New York locals.

Pouch Camporee Field

1285 Manor Rd, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA